Suburb #64 Kaleen

Next it was off to Kaleen - a very large suburb in Belconnen.

Kaleen means 'water' in the language of the Wiradhuri Aboriginal tribe. The streets here are named after Australian rivers.

Kaleen unusually has three sets of local shops but the two smaller ones have definitely seen better days - and whatever you do don't buy roast potatoes from the local takeaway. Oh dear...

I did, however, meet a new friend at the petrol station....

Near the main shops there are also a number of interesting churches and buildings...

I got exited when I thought I had found a bocce club here...but alas it has closed down :(

I was glad to get a photo of my favourite Canberra houses though...I mean seriously what were they thinking! I love it :)

I was also impressed to find that Kaleen actually has a street called bogan place :p

Suburb #63 Spence

Suburb number 63 was Spence in Belconnen for no particular reason.

Spence is named after William Spence a politician who played a significant role in founding the AWU and the ALP but was expelled from the union after supporting the introduction of conscription in Australia during WWI.

Streets here are named after trade unionists.

Our adventures started as they often do at the local shops. What struck me immediately was that the people of Spence seem very proud of their suburb....so proud that they have to use the word Spence where ever possible...

But it was great to see a local shops so full of life - there is a great little supermarket with a cafe here. I experienced significant gluten envy looking at the cherry strudel, but made up for it by buying a gorgeous little cactus instead.

I was not sure what else we would find in Spence...unexpectedly we found a rather impressive range of decorative mail boxes :p

As well as some more traditional belconnen houses and garden design...

There is even a Tongan hall in Spence where I have been lucky enough previously to be invited to a Tongan banquet.